Tag Archives: medical device

On Monday, 6/1, Crimson Life Sciences officially becomes part of TransPerfect Medical Device Solutions. Here’s more information from the client notification:

You may be wondering: why the change? The language and content needs of the medical device industry have evolved significantly over the years, and the TransPerfect family of companies has met those changes by developing a wide range of services and technologies to meet the specific needs of device makers. A majority of our work now rests on integrated solutions that help clients reduce cost and risk through process automation and redesign, including:

Process Automation Technology

Labeling Automation Solutions

Validated XML Publishing Systems

Automated Website Localization

Software Design, Translation, Verification, and Testing

E-Learning Development and Localization

And more!

Throughout our 23 years in business, Crimson has come to be known as the most quality-focused translation provider in the industry. Our commitment to this goal has not changed, but our name now reflects our full range of integrated solutions for device makers.

It has been our great honor to work with our clients in the medical device industry for the past quarter-century. We look forward to providing innovative services, technologies, and systems as TransPerfect Medical Device Solutions.

OK – maybe the recently reported, substantial drop in worldwide medical costs isn’t entirely due to XML publishing technologies…but it’s one good example. All across the healthcare industries, companies and providers are adopting new methods and technologies that are helping them reduce cost and – finally – contain runaway expenses.

In the medical device industry, content-related costs have been growing rapidly over the past 20 years. But recently, companies like Medtronic, J&J, and Stryker have adopted XML publishing as a powerful way to reduce turnaround, cost, and risk – making their products more price-competitive around the world.

For instance, Medtronic implemented an XML content management system from our Vasont division to cut the time and cost of their translation/localization process by 50% – as one Technical Communications Manager there said recently, “We process ten times more content with the same headcount – this wouldn’t be possible without XML.”

XML is just one of the automation technologies offered by TransPerfect Medical Device Solutions to help manufacturers lower their content cost and risk and increase productivity – or, automate the entire labeling process with our EnCompass system. At TransPerfect, we’re helping to drive down the cost of healthcare – and increase profitability for our clients!

Admitting something is “too hard” isn’t common at Google…but if you go to 28:54 of this video, you’ll hear Sergey Brin and Larry Page explain why medical device/healthcare is one of those areas.

Aside from feeling a little self-satisfied that you’re doing something that’s too difficult for Google, there are other points to consider here. Sure, device regulation is complex and difficult – and sometimes a little capricious and illogical. Still, regulation is meant to protect public health from faulty devices and bad actors – not everyone who makes a medical device puts patient safety first (witness the PIP breast implant scandal).

This is a common refrain from new technology companies: regulation is stifling innovation. The battle between taxicabs and Uber is one example. However, part of the cost of a cab comes from liability insurance – you can sue the cab company if you’re injured – a pedestrian can sue the company if they are struck by a cab…who are you going to sue if you’re struck by an Uber?

Technology companies (and some device companies) see regulation as an unnecessary burden, but many of these regulations are what help keep devices safe and effective. In this respect, a “least burdensome” approach to regulation is desirable – as the inscription above the temple of Delphi read: “Nothing in Excess”

It’s not often we get to point to a comic book character for marketing lessons, but the recent release of Iron Man 3 provides important food for thought for device manufacturers.

China’s movie market is big…and quickly getting bigger. With 10 new screens opening every day and box office revenues rising 30% in 2012, China recently edged out Japan to become the world’s #2 movie market. In fact, China could surpass the U.S. as the world’s largest market within 5 years. So, it’s not surprising that Hollywood took the unusual step of modifying (“localizing” in translation jargon) the content of the movie. What is surprising is the extent of the modification/localization: “Tony [Stark] doesn’t have to do this alone…China can help.” Specific content, filmed with Chinese actors in China, was added in a nod to the importance of local taste.

This narrative might sound familiar to device makers. According to PharmaLive, China is expected to pass Japan as the world’s #2 medical device market between 2018 and 2020 and represent 25% of the world market by 2050. And, just like in the movies, China is demanding more localized content – especially for device marketing.

Sometimes, however, manufacturers may want to opt out of the traditional “translation” paradigm. Instead of the endless back-end-forth with reviewers, manufacturers might instead consider producing content in-country that is custom-developed for the local market. Not translated, but created locally. Call this the “Iron Man” strategy.

More costly than simple translation or localization, the Iron Man strategy requires a strong relationship with a local advertising agency. It also requires back-translation of the finished piece in order to assure requisite corporate control. This can be facilitated by technology tools like the GlobalLink Translation & Review Portal.

Whether you’re interested in translation, localization, or the go-local, Iron Man strategy, EnCompass has tools and strategies to get you to success.

Because content is the lifeblood of the medical device industry, a fragmented content strategy can create lots of “noise” – disruptions, delays, complaints and cost-overruns in your labeling or documentation processes. This, in turn, contributes an estimated $400 million in excess industry costs every year…doctor, this patient needs your help!

On the surface, Suzanne Vega’s Blood Makes Noise might seem like an unusual choice as background music for a medical device blog. After all, it describes a panic attack.

However, as anyone will tell you (with 20+ years experience) in medical device content development and content management (including regulatory, labeling, and marketing) an occasional sense of panic is not-so-very out of the ordinary. Uncontrolled content has that effect – especially if it prompts a significant recall, derails a key project, jeorpardizes product compliance, or requires destruction of printed materials.

If you’ve ever felt even a little anxious about the cost or complexity of medical device content, you’ll identify with Suzanne’s perspective: